World XI's Grant Elliott excited to be playing in Pakistan

Grant Elliott says the World XI side have a job to entertain the home crowd by playing their part in putting on a great spectacle against Pakistan in the Independence Cup.

The Pakistani fans will get a chance to see high-profile cricket for the first time on home soil since 2009 when the World XI meet the Champions Trophy winners Pakistan in Lahore in a three-match T20 series.

Elliott, who will become the first New Zealand cricketer to play in Pakistan since 2003, says it’s a vibrant atmosphere within the dressing room and hopes the team can put on a show in all the games.

“I think it’s exciting,” said the 38-year-old all-rounder, who won 104 international caps. “It adds up to the whole excitement of the event. I’ve seen social media posts of fans going to the game and they can’t wait. They are counting down the hours. I’ve spoken to Darren Sammy and he’s spoken about the Gaddafi Stadium in the PSL final and the guys have a little bit experience of what it would feel like.

“I think we have a very exciting team and our job will be to go out there and entertain the crowd and make it a spectacle and try and win the games.”

Despite having not played a T20I against Pakistan, Elliott knows a few of the national team players having been part of the Pakistan Super League with Lahore Qalanders.

With Mickey Arthur’s men playing for the first time since stunning India in the Champions Trophy in London, Elliott is fully aware that his side face a stern task.

“I saw them in the Champions Trophy and on their day they are a very exciting team,” he said. “They are building something exciting. There are a lot of fantastic players like Fakhar Zaman, who scored a century in the final. Pakistan have always had an exciting team and it’s just great they will be able to play in front of their home crowd.”